Periodontitis is an inflammation of the periodontium. Even though this issue may seem trivial, most people that suffer from this disease are not aware that it cannot become deadly. Here are some things you should look out for before heading to a Dentist in Tacoma Wa.
What is the periodontium?
The periodontium consists of the following components:
• Gums
• Dental cement, which is the outer layer of the tooth root
• Elastic connective tissue fibers
• Jawbone
Damaged periodontium
Periodontitis is triggered by bacterial plaque, especially in around interdental spaces and the gum line. It can occur side by side, in a single tooth, or in multiple teeth. As a chronic disease, periodontitis is incurable but can be stopped.
Compared to simple gingivitis, periodontitis also affects the deeper components of the periodontium. Furthermore, periodontitis cannot be cured due to its chronic symptoms. It can, however, be stopped from progressing. In contrast, simple gingivitis can be taken care of with professional teeth cleaning is.
Since the jaw bone has already been damaged by periodontal disease, the tooth may lose its grip and fall out even though it may be completely healthy. Seeing a Dentist in Tacoma Wa is the only way to prevent the disease from worsening. According to the current state of dental science, periodontitis can cause or aggravate cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and even adversely affect pregnancies. The reason is that bacteria and their metabolites enter the bloodstream via the mouth and reach other parts of the body.
Causes
Simple gingivitis occurs relatively frequently and is usually easy to treat, always with a professional tooth cleaning. However, if the triggering bacteria are present for a long time, inflammation persists. This is often painless and is, therefore, often not noticed.
As the disease gets worse, affected areas are then damaged. Another consequence of oral inflammation is the decline of the jawbone. It creates a gap, a so-called periodontal pocket. If the affected area is greater than 3.5 mm, the dentist will diagnose the patient with periodontitis.
If it comes to it, the dentist will probe the area to see if bleeding or pus is present. The best way to make sure the issue doesn’t get this bad is to see a dentist every six months for a routine cleaning.
